Cooking Services for the US Embassy
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador, under the Department of State, is soliciting proposals for Cooking Services for its Marine Security Guard Residence (MSGR). This unrestricted opportunity seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive food preparation and service, ensuring high-quality meals and adherence to food safety standards. The contract will be awarded to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror. Quotations are due by June 29, 2026, at 12:00 PM local time.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will furnish all labor, material, equipment, and services for food preparation and service at the MSGR. Key responsibilities include:
- Meal Preparation: Providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Marine Security Guards.
- Menu Planning: Developing a 20-day menu cycle with variety, accommodating dietary needs, and focusing on fresh, healthy, and quality foods.
- Staffing: Supplying managerial, administrative, and direct labor personnel.
- Quality Control: Implementing a robust Quality Control plan and adhering to food safety standards (FDA, USDA, Codex Alimentarius).
- Deliverables: A wide range of documentation including schedules, personnel lists, insurance, licenses, transition plans, daily headcounts, menu plans, various reports (e.g., menu acceptability, waste, illness), HACCP plan, risk management plan, and KPI reporting.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Fixed-price contract.
- Period of Performance: A one-year base period from the Notice to Proceed, with four one-year option periods and an additional six-month option to extend.
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted.
- Place of Performance: U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador.
Submission & Evaluation
Offerors must submit proposals electronically to quitocontracts@state.gov. Submissions must include:
- Completed SF-1449.
- Section I, Pricing.
- Section 5, Representations and Certifications.
- Additional information as required in Section 3.
- Proof of active SAM.gov registration at the time of proposal submission. Proposals must be in English, in MS-Word 2007/2010, MS-Excel 2007/2010, or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format, with file sizes not exceeding 25MB per email. Technical and pricing proposals must be submitted separately. Evaluation will be based on Compliance Review, Technical Acceptability, Price Evaluation, and Responsibility Determination, with the award going to the lowest priced, technically acceptable, responsible contractor.
Key Dates & Contacts
- Pre-proposal Conference & Site Visit: June 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Quito Embassy. Prospective offerors must contact quitocontracts@state.gov by June 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM to arrange entry (name, nationality, ID number; max two people per company).
- Questions Due: June 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM to quitocontracts@state.gov.
- Quotations Due: June 29, 2026, at 12:00 PM to quitocontracts@state.gov.
- Primary Contact: Matthew Madden (quitocontracts@state.gov, 59323985000).
Additional Notes
Government Furnished Property (GFP), including MSGR kitchens and equipment, will be provided. Offerors should note that Value Added Tax (VAT) is not included in CLIN rates and will be priced separately. Insurance requirements, including General Liability and Workers' Compensation, are detailed in the solicitation.